The Dirndl Dress: A Vintage Classic



Happy Autumn TOG babes! One of the best times of the year - the leaves are turning golden and the air is crisp, and that means it's Dirndl time baby!! Millions of people attend thousands of Oktoberfest events across the world, and yes we love beer and yes we love pretzels, but obviously we are all here for one dress and one dress only: the dirndl!

The iconic Bavarian dress has a deep-rooted history that's intrinsically connected to the spirit of Oktoberfest, so we want to delve into the rich history of the dirndl dress and explore its close ties to the world-famous Oktoberfest celebration.

The Origins of the Dirndl

The dirndl dress, known for its distinctive design, originates from rural Bavaria and the Alpine regions during the 19th century. Originally worn by working-class women and peasants, the dirndl was a practical and modest outfit tailored for the demands of daily life. The word "dirndl" itself derives from the Bavarian-Austrian dialect, meaning 'young girl' or 'lass'.

Components of a Dirndl Dress



So what actually makes a Dirndl a Dirndl? Firstly I always check the label, because you really want it to be made in Germany or Austria! But you can also tell from a few different features:

1. Bodice: The fitted bodice, usually adorned with decorative buttons, embroidery, or embellishments, cinches at the waist, creating a boss hourglass figure.

2. Skirt: The full, pleated skirt varies in length but usually falls below the knee, allowing for freedom of movement.

3. Apron: Perhaps the most iconic feature, the apron is worn over the skirt and comes in various colours and patterns.

4. Corset: Occasionally dirndls will have a stunning lace up corset detail on the bodice, allowing them to give you as much or as little bust as you'd like and making them super flattering! This feature also makes the dresses feel very 60s medieval revival!

5. Fabrics: Generally dirndls are made from gorgeous thick cottons, making them breathable and easy to look after.

Typically dirndls are also worn with a white cotton blouse with puffed sleeves with delicate lace trim, but they look adorable with a roll neck or a 70s collared blouse too!

The Dirndl and Oktoberfest

The dirndl dress is of course linked to Oktoberfest, dating back to the festival's origins in the early 19th century in Munich. Originally conceived as a royal wedding celebration, Oktoberfest wanted to celebrate all things Bavarian, of which the dirndl dress was a no-brainer! Bavarian women, including waitresses and attendees, wore dirndls as part of the festival attire.

Over time, the dirndl became synonymous with the spirit of Oktoberfest. Female-identifying attendees embraced the tradition by wearing them, adding a touch of authenticity and charm to the event, and symbolising Bavarian culture and hospitality.

In recent decades, the dirndl has seen a resurgence in popularity, both in Bavaria and beyond; they're worn worldwide during Oktoberfest celebrations and have become part of the vintage fashion community.



The dirndl dress is one of our all time faves, both for Oktoberfest events and throughout the year! With its timeless elegance and deep-rooted history, this beloved Bavarian attire has transformed into a cultural icon, embodying the spirit of celebration, hospitality, and tradition. So easy to wear and effortlessly vintage, let's do a cheers for the dirndl dress—a symbol of enduring Bavarian charm and a dress we in the vintage community will adore forever!






Liverpool Oktoberfest Events:
- 27th September - 1st October, Baltic Market Liverpool
- 29th September - 1st October, Cricket Grounds Sefton Park Liverpool
- 21st October, Bierkeller Liverpool
- 27th - 28th October, Exhibition Centre Liverpool
and many more!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TOG Talks with Dawn O'Porter!

Image
Welcome to this month's TOG Talks, and this month we are so delighted to chat to absolute ICON Dawn O'Porter! As a writer, presenter, and designer of the most amazing vintage inspired pieces, Dawn is such an inspiration to TOG, not to mention an absolute babe. We chat LA, vintage, and what to pack for Glastonbury! Congratulations on your most recent Joanie launch!!  You have THE best style, what started your love of vintage?       My aunty and uncle who raised me worked on Bond Street in the 60s. My aunty dressed windows and my uncle was a furrier. They talked about clothes a lot of I grew up. My uncle would turn things inside out and show me how they were made. it made me really nostalgic about how it used to be done, and kinda hate the high street because of how mass produced it was. I loved the stories of the vintage clothes. Wondering who wore them first was always part of the fun.  What is your most prized vintage piece?       Well, hard question because I have a lot, but
Read more

TOG Talks with The Meyer Dancers!

Image
Happy July TOG babes! It might be a bit late to say that but the month is flying by! With festival season in full swing, we thought we would bring you a blog that you can read for those long journeys to the fields. This month we are so excited to chat to the grooviest dance troupe in the UK - The Meyer Dancers!! London is so lucky to have this sensational sisterhood, teaming with energy and embodying everything about the 60s and 70s! Having appeared on TV, music videos, and at festivals and events all across the UK, The Meyer Dancers are a pillar of the vintage community, so we get to know them a little better! We have been a fan of you guys for so long! Tell us how you founded the Meyer Dancers? A group of us met whilst studying dance over 10 years ago, we shared a joint passion for music, all things vintage and the colourful essence of the 60s and 70s. We were inspired by the strong female characters in Russ Meyer movies so that's where our name originated from! We started this f
Read more

The History of Vintage Sleeves with Alicia Vellante

Image
So we love an over the top sleeve here at The Octopus Garden! But where did it all begin? We chat with the incredible Alicia about the history of sleeves! Hi Alicia! So when did over the top sleeves become a thing? Well, sleeves have had many ‘big’ moments throughout history. Examples of exaggerated sleeves span thousands of years and across hundreds of cultures. From the wide, layered robe sleeves of Japan’s Heian period to the excessively long, flowing sleeves of the middle ages, in 12th century Europe and beyond.            (Japanese Layered Robe Sleeves)         (Sleeve depiction from the Middle Ages)     I’ll highlight some of my favorite sleeves throughout pre-20th century history, as they are what influenced the amazing sleeves from the 1960s and 1970s that we know and love. I’ll focus on Western fashion, as that is the scholarship on which I am most informed! The Renaissance, particularly the 16th century, gave a vast variety of extravagant sleeves. In Europe, these differed f
Read more